UJ Free AI Course: Enrol for 150-Hour Online Learning by 1 November
The UJ free AI course, Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR, is open for public enrolment through UJ Digital until 1 November 2026. This beginner short learning programme introduces artificial intelligence, its applications and the questions it raises for society and the future of work.
Table of Contents
The University of Johannesburg lists the course as free, online and self-paced, with an estimated learning duration of 150 hours. It is not an accredited qualification and has no applicable NQF level. That distinction matters: this is an opportunity to build understanding, not a substitute for a degree or a professional AI-engineering credential.
UJ free AI course: key details
- Provider: University of Johannesburg through UJ Digital.
- Programme: Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR.
- Cost: free.
- Level: beginner; no prior subject knowledge required.
- Estimated duration: 150 hours.
- Delivery: self-paced online learning.
- Minimum age: 18 years.
- Enrolment closes: 1 November 2026.
- Current course ends: 6 December 2026.
- Accreditation: No; NQF level: not applicable.
UJ free AI course eligibility
The published entry requirements are straightforward: applicants must be at least 18, have access to an internet-enabled device and communicate clearly in English. UJ says no previous knowledge of the subject is needed. The course page does not list Matric, a degree or existing UJ student status as entry requirements.
This makes the programme worth considering for adults who want a structured introduction rather than a highly technical specialist course. It may be relevant to students, jobseekers, workers or business owners who keep encountering AI tools but want to understand their context and limitations. Eligibility does not remove the need to commit enough time to the learning.
What will you learn?
The eight-unit curriculum starts with industrial change and automation, then explains the development of AI and its fundamental ideas. Later units examine applications around the world, including China and Africa, before considering work, ethics and possible technological futures.
- How successive industrial revolutions changed production and work.
- The development of AI and the factors behind renewed interest in it.
- Differences between artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning.
- Examples of AI applications and their limits.
- How automation can affect tasks, occupations and future skills.
- Ethical concerns, bias and the unequal effects of technology.
- Debates about advanced intelligence and possible future developments.
A useful way to approach this material is to connect each topic with something familiar. For example, consider the difference between using a predictive tool and knowing whether its output is reliable. Ask what information it uses, who checks errors and what happens when a decision affects a person. These are study prompts, not promises that the course trains you to build a production AI system.
The curriculum is broader than learning to operate one chatbot. Its value is in developing a vocabulary and framework for evaluating technological change. Applicants specifically seeking coding instruction, a software portfolio or advanced machine-learning mathematics should compare the published curriculum with those goals before enrolling.
Plan for the 150-hour workload
The current offering began on 20 January 2026 and ends on 6 December 2026. It is not a fresh 150-hour course starting after applications close. New learners joining in late October need to fit the full workload into the remaining period.
As a personal planning example, completing 150 hours over six weeks would require about 25 hours per week. That is not a timetable imposed by UJ, but it shows why this is a substantial commitment. Check work, family and study responsibilities before enrolling, and leave room for revision and technical problems.
Free tuition does not mean free internet access. The official page requires an internet-enabled device but does not advertise a laptop, data bundle or stipend. Work out how you will access the materials consistently, and do not assume that the end date will automatically be extended.
How to apply for the UJ free AI course
- Open the official Artificial Intelligence in the 4IR course page.
- Read the current requirements, curriculum and dates.
- Select Login to Apply.
- Sign in to UJ Digital or use its official account-registration option if you need an account.
- Complete the platform’s enrolment steps and retain your confirmation.
- Check that you can access the learning materials and plan to finish before the course closes.
The public page does not specify an application-document pack such as a certified Matric certificate. Follow the actual registration prompts and provide only the details requested by the official platform. For course questions or access clarification, the published contact is the CAT Team at ai2support@uj.ac.za.
Closing date
Enrol by 1 November 2026. The separate course end date is 6 December 2026. Applying near the deadline leaves less time to complete the estimated 150 hours, so consider starting earlier if the workload is manageable.
UJ free AI course FAQs
Do I need programming experience?
No previous subject knowledge is required, and the programme is listed as beginner level. Its published curriculum is an introduction to AI and its implications, not a promise of advanced programming training.
Is the course an accredited qualification?
No. UJ Digital explicitly lists accreditation as No and the NQF level as not applicable. Do not describe completion as an accredited diploma or degree.
Can I study from any province?
The delivery is online and self-paced. The published requirements focus on age, English communication and an internet-enabled device rather than a particular South African province.
If you also want to improve your research skills, compare the separate UJ Information Literacy course before committing to both workloads.
Source check: UJ free AI course details were checked against the provider’s official information on 21 October 2026. Recheck the live page before applying.
